Mail-Order Matriarch

by Amelia St. James

  Mail-Order Matriarch

  Brides of Burlington County

  Amelia St. James

  Copyright © 2020 by Amelia St. James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For my lovely family, my everything!

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Afterword

  Mail Order Mismatch

  Also by Amelia St. James

  Chapter One

  1869

  Burlington County, NJ

  Elly scooped water from the washbasin and splashed her face, letting the cool liquid trickle down her neck. Her nausea temporarily subsided, but she knew it would be back. The waves had been coming more frequently since Alexander’s funeral when the reality of widowhood settled hard upon her shoulders with a weight that grew heavier by the day.

  The bell on the front door of her boardinghouse jingled, alerting her to company she hadn’t expected and didn’t want. Fear prompted another wave of stomach pains, and she buried her face in her apron a moment before scrubbing herself dry.

  Elly hoped she looked presentable for either the nosy busybodies in town who came to see her pain or the people coming to collect debts Alexander owed. Debt she hadn’t known they had. Squaring her shoulders, Elly left the sanctuary of her room and hurried to greet her guest.

  A woman stood just inside the entryway, clutching her worn carpetbag with both hands as she stared into the parlor. Her red hair was piled high on her head with one unruly curl uncoiled over her right ear. The woman tapped her foot impatiently, but Elly sensed the woman was more nervous than impatient, given the grim set of her pale lips.

  “Good morning. How may I be of service to you?” Elly waited for the trim woman to speak, noticing that she swallowed hard and inhaled before making eye contact.

  “I’m looking for Eliza Bates. Is that you?”

  Stifling a smile at her thick Irish accent, Elly said, “I’m Eliza but please, call me Elly.”

  “My name is Lindsay O’Hare. Please call me Lindsay. Do you allow the Irish to board here, Elly?”

  Elly sucked in a breath, having heard from her own mother the stories of the discrimination she had faced as an Irish immigrant. “I should hope so. My dear mother, God rest her soul, came from Ireland during the famine.”

  “It was such a terrible time.”

  Elly watched a shadow pass across Lindsay’s expression as she stared into her past. “You were in Ireland during the famine?”

  Nodding, Lindsay said, “I was a wee girl, but you don’t forget tragedy like that.”

  Elly’s shoulders sagged. “No, I don’t imagine you do.” Remembering her manners, she said, “Do come in and let me help you get settled. I’ll put on some water for tea, and we can talk.”

  Lindsay glanced around once more before asking, “Do you have any other boarders? It’s awfully quiet here.”

  “Not at the moment.” Elly heard the vulnerability in her voice, disliking the weakness she felt down to her toes. Brightening, she said, “That will give me time to get to know you better.”

  Another cloud passed across the woman’s features. Elly smiled warmly, hoping Lindsay would find comfort in her open welcome. The woman grew pale as Elly waited for her to respond.

  “I’m sorry. You’re just so likable, Elly, and I can’t keep a secret from you, subjecting you to the possible shunning that might come from it.”

  Elly’s brows furrowed. Sensing the woman’s desperation, she said, “Please, let’s sit in the parlor, and you can tell me whatever you like.”

  The stranger took a chair closest to the door, sitting stiffly on the edge of her seat. After a moment, she began speaking in a shaky voice.

  “I have had a terrible time finding work as a seamstress. I settled in Philadelphia for a while, ‘til the womenfolk there made sure that I’d never find work again, and now I’m trying to find a new start.”

  Elly leaned forward, trying to imagine the women of Morrestown doing the same thing but couldn’t, awful as they were. “That sounds dreadful! Why would they want you to leave town?”

  She stared as Lindsay’s cheeks reddened beneath light brown eyes. Elly’s breath caught, afraid she’d offended her potential boarder. Her debts were piling up and yet, she chose that moment to speak her mind.

  “I’m sorry,” Elly said.

  Lindsay’s back stiffened with pride as she raised her small dimpled chin. “Don’t be sorry. I should explain. You see, I couldn’t find any work. I had exhausted my money by the time I realized that finding a means to support myself would be difficult.” Lindsay cleared her throat and crossed her pale hands in her lap. “The only ladies who sent work my way were ladies of ill repute.” Lindsay blushed again, her cheeks turning as red as her curls.

  Elly’s stomach began to flop like a fish out of water. She closed her eyes, her hand pressed to her mouth. Deep breath, slow. In and out. She repeated her usual mantra, hoping it would save her from embarrassment. When she realized it wasn’t going to work this time, Elly bolted from the room and barely made it beyond the back door before she was sick.

  Tears stung her eyes, and she wished for the thousandth time since he died that she could speak to Alexander again. She would give anything to feel his arms around her and bury her head against his strong shoulder once more.

  She rocked back on her heels in the grass and rubbed her forehead before scrambling to her feet. She was teetering on losing everything she and Alexander had worked for, and her only customer had been left sitting alone in the parlor.

  Elly paused in the parlor doorway as the realization that she was alone in the house hit her. Desperation weighed more heavily than propriety, and she ran through the boardinghouse and out the front door, moving quickly to catch up to Lindsay. Stubborn pride radiated from the woman’s stiff shoulders, and Elly was almost positive she would be spending another night alone in the big, empty house.

  “Wait! I’m sorry.” She caught up to Lindsay, stalling her with a gentle grip on her arm. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I’ve just been under undue stress since my husband’s passing.”

  “So, you aren’t put off by my past?” Lindsay’s expression was guarded but hopeful.

  Elly smiled gently. “No, not in the least.” She glanced back at the building she and Alexander were supposed to grow old in, a pang of sadness refilling the emptiness she felt inside. “Please, come board with me. You be a welcome addition.”

  “Thank you.” Lindsay smiled, the fine lines around her eyes crinkling into a warm gesture that felt more genuine than any of the ladies in town had been of late.

  Those women had always whispered complaints that Alexander had been too doting on her, and now they seemed smugly confident that being widowed was her just punishment for being so beloved.

  The sound of hoofbeats pounding on the dirt road pulled Elly and Lindsay’s attention. A man rode toward them with a spare horse tied to his saddle. As he neared, he slowed his horses to a stop and spoke, his voice gruff. “Howdy. I take it you're Widow Bates?”

  “I am.” Elly absently gripped the heavy black fabric of her dress while his gaze traveled her body. Her cheeks stung as she waited for him to dismount, but
he stayed put, staring openly.

  Lindsay straightened to her full height and stepped between Elly and the dusty rider. With her chin thrust forward, she spoke in a strong, terse tone. “Have ya traveled so far you’ve left your manners behind? That’s no way to treat a lady. And I’m fairly certain your Mam cared enough to at least give you a name.” Stamping her foot, she stared boldly at the stranger, her posture indicating she had no intention of backing down.

  Whistling, the man broke out into a grin and held up a dirty hand. “Hold on there, little lady. I don’t mean no harm. Name’s John.” He leaned forward in his saddle to speak to Elly. “My men are coming behind me, and I need lodging for the four of us tonight. Do you have room?”

  “John what?” Lindsay spoke sternly, her hands on her hips.

  “Just John. Do you have the rooms or not?” John’s jaw clenched in anger as he shifted in his saddle.

  Lindsay tried to block the man’s view, but Elly stepped around her. All of her hopes and dreams were tied up in the cheerful yellow house behind her. She would have no chance if she didn’t at least try to save it.

  “I have room.” Elly nodded her affirmation, more to reassure herself that she’d made the right decision than to calm John. “You can board your horses at the stable in town, and I’ll get the rooms ready. How long will you be staying?”

  “Just the night.” John tugged the reins and his horse turned, leading the riderless horse behind.

  Elly watched John until he was gone from sight, then faced the woman at her side. “I can understand if you don’t want to board here tonight. I can ask the preacher’s wife to let you stay with them while the men are here.” The thought made Elly’s head swim, but she needed the money far too desperately to turn John and his men away.

  Lindsay put her arm around Elly’s shoulder, giving her a gentle pat. “I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you alone with that ruffian and his friends. It appears that you’re stuck with me for the time being.”

  Elly glanced up at the woman who had placed herself squarely between Elly and John and smiled. “You’re feisty, Lindsay O’Hare, and it’s an honor to be stuck with you.”

  Chapter Two

  “We all need hot baths, ma’am, and you’ll have to empty the tub between. We’re mighty filthy and wanting to be clean for supper,” John called over his shoulder as he stomped up the stairs, the men with him following behind.

  Elly stared forlornly at the dirt trail they left in their wake, her muscles aching from the very thought of carting enough water for four baths in from the well, heating it, and emptying the filthy water out.

  Elly looked at the thin gold band on her finger and thought of Alexander. Today it was his smile that she missed most. He had one small dimple on his left cheek that showed when he had shaved. She’d never see that dimple again.

  Squaring her shoulders, she built up the fire in the wood stove and pulled the washtub out of storage, determined not to get lost in her memories lest she become like Widow Schneider on the outskirts of town. The older woman had taken to talking to herself, even on the rare occasion when she came into town.

  Elly picked up her bucket and turned toward the back door. Footsteps behind her startled her.

  “Oh, it’s you.” Elly held her hand to her throat, thankful to see Lindsay. She couldn’t find an absolute reason to be scared of her male boarders, but a small, nagging feeling inside made her on edge.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Lindsay looked pointedly at the tub in the middle of the kitchen before settling her gaze back on Elly.

  “The men have demanded baths. I have to get started so I have time to make them supper.”

  “Do you normally heat and carry water for boarders?”

  Elly shook her head. “Not unless they’re here for long-term boarding, and then…” She paused, her voice catching in her throat.

  “And then what?”

  Lindsay stood nearby, her slight figure becoming more imposing the better Elly got to know her.

  “And then Alexander helped chop the wood, pump, boil, and carry the water.” She felt her lip quiver. Yet again she found herself wondering how she was going to be able to manage everything on her own.

  “Give me that.” Lindsay gripped the tub in her hands and hauled it through the door. “They’re going to bathe outside and be grateful for it, at that.” She settled the tub near the clothesline and said, “We’ll hang a sheet for privacy.”

  Elly quickly retrieved a sheet from the spare linens and spread it on the line, securing it with clothespins. The rhythmic squeak of the well pump greeted her ears as she finished, and she spun to see Lindsay filling a bucket.

  “Oh, no. I can’t have you doing work that belongs to me.” Elly reached for the pump handle, only to have her hand gently swatted away.

  “We can take turns. I’ll get started, and you can relieve me in a spell.” Lindsay’s jaw was set in firm determination, and the glint in her eyes left little room for argument.

  Nodding, Elly said, “Alright. I’ll get started chopping kindling.”

  Exhaling audibly, Lindsay lowered her head and began furiously pumping the water. When the tub had been filled, Lindsay accompanied Elly to the foot of the stairs, thrusting her hand out to stop her when she began to ascend.

  Bellowing loudly, Lindsay said, “Boys, the bath is ready, and if you want to eat supper, I suggest you empty it out when you’re done with it!”

  The man John had introduced as Amos came down the stairs, the sound of his heavy bootsteps throbbing in Elly’s head.

  “I’ve been traveling hard for three days and need to be resting, not doing woman’s work.” His beard was stained with tobacco juice and his teeth were the same deep shade of brown.

  Lindsay laughed, the sound a harsh cackle. “Poor fellow. You’re too tired to do any heavy lifting and you need the little women to do it for you.”

  Amos leered at Lindsay, his face inches from hers as he towered over her.

  “Amos, the rest of us are waiting on you. No need to cause trouble while we’re under Widow Bates’ roof.” John’s steady gaze followed Amos until the man’s back had disappeared around the corner. When the sight and smell of the man had abated, John made eye contact with Elly and nodded before returning up the stairs.

  “I’ll be so glad when they’ve moved on.” Pressing her hand firmly against her queasy stomach, Elly blinked hard to clear the dizziness.

  “When was the last time you ate something?”

  “I haven’t been cooking much as of late, since it’s only me. I eat when I’m hungry, I guess.”

  Lindsay shook her head as she reached for Elly’s elbow. “Come, let’s get some food into you before the next filthy heathen needs a bath.”

  Elly looked around to see if any of her other boarders had heard. She began to wonder what chain of events had made Lindsay such a force to be reckoned with.

  “Shh. I don’t want to offend these men. They already make me afraid.”

  “Don’t be.” Brows furrowed, Lindsay whispered, “Do you have a gun?”

  “Alexander has one.” Tears stung Elly’s eyes. “Had.”

  “Where is it?”

  “In my room.”

  “Well, I feel better knowing you have it. Let’s get you fed.” Lindsay gently tugged Elly’s arm, pulling her to the large kitchen. “Eat while I get more water heating.”

  Elly did as she was told, feeling a newfound sense of peace in her moment of weakness. She’d lost both of her parents within a few months after she’d married Alexander, and without him, she was completely on her own.

  She hadn’t been sleeping well, and until Lindsay pointed it out, she hadn’t realized that eating hadn’t been much of a priority, either.

  Feeling slightly better after eating a handful of crackers, Elly rose and began peeling potatoes. She had plenty of hungry mouths to feed, and no one would ever accuse her of not running a decent boardinghouse.

  She thought of all
the tasks she’d be taking over now that Alexander was gone. She’d been avoiding thinking about it until now. He had been her rock. What the women in town whispered was true. He’d cared for her with open adoration, and in its absence, she felt an emptiness that could never be filled.

  The back door squeaked and Lindsay walked swiftly through the kitchen. “He’s done and despite his many complaints, he emptied the tub. I’ll start filling it again while you holler for the next heathen to appear.”

  “I can help.” Elly dropped the potato she was peeling and reached for the bucket, recoiling when Lindsay swatted her hand.

  “I don’t need your help. You shouldn’t be doing heavy lifting in your condition.”

  “What do you mean?” Elly stared after Lindsay, hearing only the door slam.

  Sighing, she picked up the potato she had dropped. An uneasy feeling prickled up and down her back, causing her to turn sharply. The boarder named Samuel was standing in the middle of the kitchen, his bare feet pale in comparison to the deep tan on his face.

  “Your condition is looking mighty fine, ma’am.”

  “You’re next for a bath, now get on with it.” Elly felt her jaw muscles clench, anger flushing her cheeks. She gripped her knife tightly, holding her breath until he left.

  When all of the boarders had finished bathing and the meal was served, Elly fought the urge to retreat to the kitchen. She didn’t want to leave Lindsay alone with the men, but the thought of eating with them turned her stomach.

  Smiling reassuringly, Lindsay patted the empty seat at the head of the table, giving her a barely perceptible nod of encouragement. Elly hesitated only a moment before sitting next to her friend. As she resisted the urge to bolt, Elly gripped the carved armrests of the chair that Alexander always sat in. It occurred to her that she had never actually sat at the head of the table before. She leaned her back against the padded chair, taking comfort in sitting where her beloved used to.